Cape Fear Skyway STIP Project No. U-4738 Federal Aid Project No. STP-0017(53) WBS No New Hanover and Brunswick Counties, North Carolina October 14, 2009

Cape Fear Skyway STIP Project No. U-4738 Federal Aid Project No. STP-0017(53) WBS No New Hanover and Brunswick Counties, North Carolina October 14, 2009

About Cape Fear Skyway

Project History  “Southern Outer Loop” Project from 1993 Thoroughfare Plan Described part of this loop as the “Southern Bridge” – an extension from Independence Blvd. northward to Eagle Island to interchange with US 74/76

1993 Thoroughfare Plan Proposed Southern Outer Loop

Project History  Project described as “Southern Bridge” in Greater Wilmington Urban Area Transportation Plan Revised description to have western terminus at existing US 17 and proposed Wilmington Bypass (I-140) interchange 2025 Plan removed “Southern Outer Loop” project completely

Project History  Included in current WMPO Long Range Transportation Plan (2030) as “Cape Fear Skyway” Described as a project that extends east from US 17 at the proposed I-140 (Wilmington Bypass) interchange, across the Cape Fear River, to Independence Boulevard at US 421. Listed as one of six priority projects in the 2030 Plan.  Included in the Strategic Highway Corridor Initiative and the NC Intrastate System

2005 Thoroughfare Plan Proposed Southern Bridge

The I-140 Loop I-140 FUTURE I-140“A” “B”

I-140 and the Cape Fear Skyway Study Area Future I-140 Cape Fear Skyway Study Area

Feasibility Study Alignment Cape Fear Skyway

Preliminary Alternatives

Brunswick Forest Development Plan Brunswick Forest Proposed New Development Mallory Creek

Brunswick Forest – Current Development Brunswick Forest Mallory Creek Proposed New Development

Additional Preliminary Alignment Segments Mallory Creek Proposed New Development Brunswick Forest

Potential New Corridors Brunswick Forest Mallory Creek Proposed New Development

Project History  Feasibility Study in 2003 by NCDOT  Current WMPO LRTP adopted in 2005  Agency Scoping Meeting – January 13, 2006  Citizen’s Informational Workshops – April 10, 2006 and April 11, 2006  Notice of Intent – May 11, 2006  Project included in NCDOT’s STIP

Project Status  Preliminary design and planning studies are currently being developed Purpose and Need Statement Alternatives Screening

Project Status – Milestones Achieved  Prepared Draft Section 6002 Coordination Plan  Prepared Draft Purpose & Need Report  Prepared Draft Alternatives Screening Analysis  Prepared Draft Bridge Study Report  Conducted Preliminary Field Studies  Prepared functional design plans for bridge crossing area

Project Status – Anticipated Milestones  Draft Environmental Impact StatementMarch 2011  Final Environmental Impact StatementMarch 2012  Record of DecisionSeptember 2012